Intensify screening measures against Zika: Liew

Kota Kinabalu: Api-Api Assemblywoman Chrisitna Liew urged the relevant authorities such as the State Health Department and City Hall (DBKK) to step up public awareness campaign against the Zika virus."At the same time, the authorities should also intensify the mosquito fumigation exercise in housing estates in the city, especially those with poor drainage system and stagnant water that have become an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"Special attention should also be given to the water villages in Sembulan and Tanjung Aru," she said.

She noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Zika virus infection as a public health emergency of international concern.

The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito, which is also a carrier of the dengue virus.

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Symptoms of the Zika virus include fever, skin rash and conjunctivitis. The virus can cause microcephaly, brain deformities and other birth defects.

Besides this, Liew, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah deputy chairperson, also called on the State Health Department to immediately set up thermal screening for the Zika virus at the key entry points in the State, the airports in particular, in order to screen travellers coming into Sabah.

"Prevention is always better than cure," she stressed.

She was commenting on the warning issued by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam on Monday that Malaysia must brace itself for the Zika virus, following the discovery of 41 confirmed cases in Singapore.

He acknowledged that there was a high risk that the virus would spread across the Causeway due to the number of Malaysians working in Singapore and the difficulty in detecting the disease that does not show signs of infection in up to 80 per cent of carriers.

Last week, Bernama reported the Singapore Health Ministry as saying that a 47-year-old Malaysian was likely infected in Singapore since she had not travelled to any countries affected by the Zika virus.

The Singapore Health Ministry also said the patient developed a fever, rash and conjunctivitis on August 25.

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The following day, she sought the advice of a general practitioner, who then referred her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where she tested positive for Zika on Tuesday.

The national news agency also reported that she was hospitalised for observation and is currently recovering.

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